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103rd out of 164 books
—
96 voters
Looking for Red
Twelve-year-old Mike -- short for Michaela -- loves the ocean. The sights, sounds, and smells of her coastal home are embedded in her very soul. But Michaela loves her brother, Red, even more.
Then one day Red disappears. One minute he's there, the next...gone. No warning. No time to prepare. And Mike must come to terms with that loss or risk never finding comfort in what r...more
Then one day Red disappears. One minute he's there, the next...gone. No warning. No time to prepare. And Mike must come to terms with that loss or risk never finding comfort in what r...more
Paperback, 128 pages
Published
November 1st 2003
by Simon Pulse
(first published 2002)
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Okay, I totally feel for Michaela (Mike), this young girl who loses her brother and (along with everyone else) is trying to cope with his death. The story offers little situations she found herself in after her brother Red died. Each phase of the book takes the reader through the phases of acceptance that come after someone close to us dies all while expressing Mike's methods of dealing with her loss.
I was very impressed with the writing style and the emotional appeal, and this book did actua...more
I was very impressed with the writing style and the emotional appeal, and this book did actua...more
Synopsis:
Mike, or Michaela, live in what seems to be, a small town. There is a type of sadness to the book as soon as you jump into it. Mike adores her brother, Red. They do everything together, rather, they did everything together. Red is gone, we don't really find out how till near the end of the book. But it proves to take its toll on Mike and Red's best friend, Mark and his last girlfriend, Mona. Mona tries to connect and get much closer to Mike, possibly because Mike is the closest thing to...more
Mike, or Michaela, live in what seems to be, a small town. There is a type of sadness to the book as soon as you jump into it. Mike adores her brother, Red. They do everything together, rather, they did everything together. Red is gone, we don't really find out how till near the end of the book. But it proves to take its toll on Mike and Red's best friend, Mark and his last girlfriend, Mona. Mona tries to connect and get much closer to Mike, possibly because Mike is the closest thing to...more
When I picked up the book "Looking for Red" by Angela Johnson I wasn't expecting such a heart felt story. It was more of a bunch of short stories meshed together to create the way this little girl, Mike, was copping with her brother Red's death. I've never lost anyone close to me but I feel as if I could understand the feeling a little bit better now. I loved how Angela johnson really dragged you into the story and made you wonder. She left you hanging with her short chapters and it made me keep...more
The book was very interesting. I wasn't really sure what to think of it as I started the book. Then I was able to see that Mike was struggling with the loss of her brother Red. During the book Mike is in a numb shock trying to deal with her brother's disappearence. I was sort of frustrated not understanding exactly what was the plot or the problem with the story. It was not until the end of the book did everything come together and I was able to appreciate it.
I really liked the relationship betw...more
I really liked the relationship betw...more
This story follows Michaela, a young tomboy who deeply misses her recently deceased brother, "Red." She lives with her casual parents, spends time with her crazy aunt, and learns a lot about people. The two who seem to understand her the most are her brothers' girlfriend and buddy Mark. They often reminisce about Red, think they can see him and go through the letting go process together.
I enjoyed this book. It's short, but long enough that you get to know the characters pretty well. There's not...more
I enjoyed this book. It's short, but long enough that you get to know the characters pretty well. There's not...more
This book is about a Twelve-year-old girl named Mike- short for Michaela- loves and lives by the ocean, but Michaela loves her brother, Red, even more.
Then one day Red disappears. One minute he's there, the next...gone. So Mike has to deal with the pain of the loss of her brother. Sometimes, Red thinks she sees her brother everywhere but he cannot hear her.
But she's not alone. Red's best friend and girlfriend are going through the same thing. They all try to commit suicide to be with him. Mike...more
Then one day Red disappears. One minute he's there, the next...gone. So Mike has to deal with the pain of the loss of her brother. Sometimes, Red thinks she sees her brother everywhere but he cannot hear her.
But she's not alone. Red's best friend and girlfriend are going through the same thing. They all try to commit suicide to be with him. Mike...more
This book was just OK. I liked her writing style and appreciated that it was a quick read, but the plot wasn't anything exciting. The author did an excellent job of pulling me in emotionally though, which kept me reading. I think her tactic of keeping everything kind of a secret until the last couple of pages worked in some ways. The suspense of the unknown secret wasn't what kept me going. As I mentioned before, it was the emotional tugging. I felt that I had to finish the book to be emotionall...more
I have become an Angela Johnson fan. Someday everyone should pick up one of her books they are written beautifully! I was amazed of the depth this book went into, and it was a very short book.
I loved how she wrote about the charcters in a very relistic way. This book was about a girl Michaela, that lost her brother Red. Johnson writes about the heart-wrenching grief that comes when you loose someone so close to you. This book really made me think about my brothers and how sad I would be if they...more
I loved how she wrote about the charcters in a very relistic way. This book was about a girl Michaela, that lost her brother Red. Johnson writes about the heart-wrenching grief that comes when you loose someone so close to you. This book really made me think about my brothers and how sad I would be if they...more
Although this book isn't my favorite of Angela Johnson's, it was very well done and has a beauty to it too. She really delves into the how a young adult would mourn for such a close sibling. I couldn't figure out what the secret was between Mona, Mark and Mike which is a bonus when I can't figure out what's coming. I really appreciate the supports systems that are found in Johnson's books. The main character always has someone who loves them or someone they love, there are always healthy relatio...more
I really liked this book. However, I was confused for a good portion of the beginning because I didn't understand what was going on. I think that was partly because it tells you at the end what actually happened and everything else just seems to be vague and that I was missing out on important information.
Besides feeling lost for a little bit I loved Angela Johnson's writing style. It made me want to keep reading and I really wanted to know what was happening. I was so curious to find out if sh...more
Besides feeling lost for a little bit I loved Angela Johnson's writing style. It made me want to keep reading and I really wanted to know what was happening. I was so curious to find out if sh...more
The book is about a girl who loses her brother in the ocean. On a dare, he jumps to swim to touch a buoy. On his way back, he disappears under the ocean. The setting is about 3 months afterward, and the girl silently copes with the loss, sharing the time with her brother's girlfriend and best friend.
I really didn't like the book. It was short, and that was the only good part about it. As for the rest of it, I didn't care about the characters--they were so indifferent. No progression happens in t...more
I really didn't like the book. It was short, and that was the only good part about it. As for the rest of it, I didn't care about the characters--they were so indifferent. No progression happens in t...more
Angela Johnson has such a great writing style, I haven't read many things by her but Looking for Red was wonderful. It was such a emotionally powerful novel with so much depth. Mike is such a strong character despite the sadness she must endure with the loss of her brother Red. The moment that Johnson brings the whole story together, at the end, is very striking. Mike's story is one of heartache learning to live life peacefully without her brother.
Recently, I finished reading this book and I have to say that it was a really great book. Angela Johnson is a great author but this book is really special. It's about trying to find your own self after losing yourself. The main character in this book was very sure of herself, but after she lost her brother, she didn't know anything about life so she had to go back, look back and what her life was and try to continue it in the best way that she could.
This is the story of a young girl who is grieving over the loss of her brother. Johnson portrays the grief really well....it feels like Michaela is kind of in a trance through most of the book. Johnson also tells the story about what happens to her brother really slowly, so you only finally understand it all at the end. A beautifully written book. I especially liked the setting, near Cape Cod. The ocean plays a big role in the book.
This was a touching story. I could not imagine being that close to a sibling and then losing them in such a tragic way. It is a great book for young adults who may be struggling with lose and moving forward.
Violence - The only real violence is a car accident.
Language - A few words are said but it was very mild.
Sex - No
Alcohol/Drugs - Smoking and a little bit of drinking.
Violence - The only real violence is a car accident.
Language - A few words are said but it was very mild.
Sex - No
Alcohol/Drugs - Smoking and a little bit of drinking.
This story is very heartwarming. A girl, Mike, has lost her brother and best friend, Red. The story shows how she struggles with her loss and eventually begins to cope. The reader grows to love all of the characters, even Red, whom we only see through the eyes of others. This would be a perfect book for someone who has lost a loved one.
Warning: Teen smoking
Warning: Teen smoking
Mike loves the ocean. So does her brother Red. Mike loves her brother even more. Mike dared Red to swim in the ocean. Red drowned and now he's died. Mike think it's all her fault he died. Red's best friend Mark and girlfriend Mona are going through the same thing. Mike, Mark and Mona tried to died because of the lost of Red. I rated 2 stars because the book was short.
Hmm. Mike (Michaela)loses her brother, and you have to endure the whole book to find out how. The story was ambiguous, like one giant inside secret, and there just wasn't enough for me to hang on to... to really care about the story.
I normally love Angela Johnson, so I didn't abandon the book. I was hoping it would turn out better, but it never did.
I normally love Angela Johnson, so I didn't abandon the book. I was hoping it would turn out better, but it never did.
This definitely read much more "Tween" than young adult, but I still found it satisfying. Mike (Michaela) is dealing with the sorrow, and grief that come with losing a sibling, or anyone close to you for that matter, and it's all very vague, and unfulfilling until her visions, and memories start to fill in the gaps...and until the near end. I liked the characters, and their interactions, and different relationships. I thought this book was great for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Wa...more
Wa...more
Loved this book-it was such a touching story of how a young girl copes with her missing brother. Realizing if he's really missing or not, and how she comes to find out personally what really happened. It was a beautiful rendition of what it must be like to some children when we lose someone that we sincerely love.
Great YA book for ages 11 to 14. I would say the main theme was was coping with the loss of a loved one. I hate to say, but I was putting this author off for so long. But enjoyed this one. It was a nice, tender read. Perhaps a little depressing, but that's life. And yes, I used the "tender".
This book was really good, it was a fast, enjoyable read. The mystery of the whole thing kept you turning the pages and wanting to know more and more. It was a mesmerizing story of how hard life is, heartbreaks, and joys all at the same time. I would recommend this book to anybody. Warning: this book might make you pretty sad.
This book was nice. The story was well-written and I loved the way Angela Johnson kept the whole story from me until the very end. That aspect definitely gave me the desire to finish the book. I also really loved the Johnson's writing style. She is a beautiful storyteller.
However, I had a really hard time emotionally connecting to her characters. I don't know if it is because I have never really gone through heartbreak like this yet, or if I just can't find anything to connect to. I love books...more
However, I had a really hard time emotionally connecting to her characters. I don't know if it is because I have never really gone through heartbreak like this yet, or if I just can't find anything to connect to. I love books...more
My 4th grader brought this book home yesterday so I had to read it to see if it was appropriate of course. One could really feel the pain of the main charactor Mike, as she deals with her brother Red's "disappearence." I think it's a bit dark for my 9 year old.
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Beautifully told story. I think it really captures Mike's grieving process as well as the other kids' attempts at grieving. I like the way it ends, it makes it really meaningful.
I would definitely give this book to young adult readers. I would be careful with it though, it can evoke a lot of emotion. It could be helpful or just bring back a lot of pain in certain circumstances.
Violence - No
Language - Yes, some
Sex - No
Alcohol/Drugs - alcohol and smoking cigarettes (both involving minors)
I would definitely give this book to young adult readers. I would be careful with it though, it can evoke a lot of emotion. It could be helpful or just bring back a lot of pain in certain circumstances.
Violence - No
Language - Yes, some
Sex - No
Alcohol/Drugs - alcohol and smoking cigarettes (both involving minors)
Well written and really good for reluctant readers. The whole book is designed to not be intimidating but is still beautiful and compelling. However, this book did not work for me. Angela Johnson likes to play games with how she reveals information in her books and that style just isn't my thing. I like to know quickly why the characters behave the way they do rather than have to wait until two pages from the end to find out.
Cautions for sensitive audiences: Some underage smoking and drinking.
Cautions for sensitive audiences: Some underage smoking and drinking.
This was a fast read with great content. It is about death and it keeps you wondering what is going on until the end of the book. This would be a great book for a younger audience and those who don't really like reading.
I love the way that Johnson wrote this book. She has a way with words that make me happy. The book deals with death, but it's not too depressing.
Looking for Red is about a twelve-year-old girl named Michaela who loves her brother Red and is doing just that: looking for him. Michaela isn't the only person looking for Red; Red's girlfriend, Mona, and best friend Mark are looking for Red to show up again too.
Throughout the book you don't know how or why Red went away-all you know is that he is gone, and those he love are left to deal with the loss.
This book shows how individuals lives are all of a sudden changed and affected by one defini...more
Throughout the book you don't know how or why Red went away-all you know is that he is gone, and those he love are left to deal with the loss.
This book shows how individuals lives are all of a sudden changed and affected by one defini...more
Angela Johnson did such a wonderful job of capturing what it feels like to lose a loved one. Looking for Red shows how hard it can be losing someone but how all things heal with time. I really enjoyed this book a lot. It was a quick read and I think it can be very beneficial to everyone.
Warnings: there is some swearing and I wouldn't suggest this book if you just lost a loved one. Give it some time before you tackle this book.
Warnings: there is some swearing and I wouldn't suggest this book if you just lost a loved one. Give it some time before you tackle this book.
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